Howe, Texas — Federal disaster authorities have amended an active major disaster declaration across Texas, adding four more jurisdictions to receive federal emergency aid following damaging summer weather and widespread flooding. Announced on Friday, the action brings Schleicher, Grimes, Live Oak, and McMullen counties into the Public Assistance program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The designation provides federal assistance for urgent response operations and structural recovery across impacted areas.
The four newly designated areas expand the total roster of approved jurisdictions under the federal assistance designation to twenty-three counties throughout the state. The broader declaration already encompasses communities stretching from Kerr, Bandera, and Edwards counties to Kinney, Gillespie, and Dimmit, alongside Crockett, Frio, Kendall, Kimble, and La Salle. Other previously certified localities include Zavala, Mason, Menard, Maverick, Real, Sutton, Val Verde, and Uvalde. Under federal program rules, eligible funding covers critical response operations and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure across the certified communities.
Governor Greg Abbott stated that the federal approval ensures the four counties have essential resources to assist in local recovery efforts, affirming that state agencies will continue coordinating assistance for communities affected by the July storms.
State emergency leadership noted that further relief determinations remain under evaluation. A formal state request to authorize Individual Assistance support across thirty designated counties is currently awaiting federal review. Concurrently, emergency leaders seek federal approval to release additional statewide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to bolster preventative defenses against future severe weather.
